.. Recent & upcoming regulations
The Impact of the European Green Deal on the Fashion Industry
European Green Deal and
Circular Economy Action Plan
The aim of the European Green Deal is to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy.
* Net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
* Economic growth without depletion of raw materials
* No person or region is left behind
The EU Green Deal is the umbrella under which all of the following rules and regulations fall.
A key component of the European Green Deal is the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), which directly impacts the textile industry. The CEAP aims to promote sustainable resource use by encouraging recycling and reuse, minimizing waste, and fostering a transition to a circular economy. The plan includes measures to improve product design for sustainability, support the use of recycled materials, and reduce the environmental footprint of products, including textiles.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
This EU law, the CSRD which came into force on January 5, 2023, mandates that all large and listed companies disclose information about the risks and opportunities related to social and environmental issues, as well as the impact of their activities on people and the environment. The new rules will apply for the first time in the 2024 financial year, with reports published in 2025.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations
The Ecodesign Directive, which entered into force on 18 July 2024, aims to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable. It focuses on enhancing the: durability, reliability, reusability, upgradability, repairability, ease of maintenance, refurbishment and recyclability as well as the energy and resource efficiency of products within the EU. The ESPR also contains a number of other new measures: Digital Product Passport,
rules to address destruction of unsold consumer products and
Green Public Procurement.
Digital Product Passport
Another significant part of the Ecodesign Directive is the Digital Product Passport (DPP). This passport will need to provide detailed information on the product's origin, material composition, repair options, and disassembly methods. The fashion industry is expected to implement this by 2026. To prepare yourself for these regulations you can start by mapping your entire value chain, including raw material, production processes, product performance, environmental impact, and social impact.
Green claims directive
In March 2023 proposed rules on making sustainability claims in the EU. The Green Claims Directive gives clear rules on how to communicate about sustainability and it protects consumers from greenwashing. These rules are then formulated into guidelines by 'watchdog' organizations from the different EU member states, such as the Authority Consumer and Markets (ACM) in the Netherlands.
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The CSDDD introduces new regulations that require businesses to address the negative effects of their operations, both within and outside of Europe, including throughout their value chains. These rules will make Due Diligence a mandatory process. As a result, companies will be obligated to identify, prevent or mitigate, and ultimately eliminate, the harmful impacts of their activities on human rights and the environment.
Extended Producer Responsibility
The proposed new EU rules on waste will support the separate collection of textile waste, which becomes mandatory in the EU in 2025. They will create:
* Mandatory and harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles across all Member States with eco-modulation of fees
* Rules to manage textile waste in line with the waste hierarchy: used clothes to be directed as a priority to re-use; more textile waste to be recycled
* Incentives for producers to increase the circularity of products by design, innovate and boost circular economy business models
* Local jobs and larger markets for used textiles and secondary raw materials
* Cost-saving opportunities for citizens moving from fast fashion to timeless fashion.
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals regulations
REACH regulations for substances entering the European Union are being revised. New restrictions are anticipated for substances like microplastics, skin sensitizers, bisphenol A, PFAs, and PFHxA. The revision is expected to come into effect between 2025 and 2027. I recommend reviewing your product portfolio to ensure current REACH compliance and prepare for upcoming restrictions.
Please note that the above is only part of the recent and upcoming legislation. While I do not provide legal advice, I can assist companies in adopting guidelines and creating sustainability roadmaps that align with forthcoming legislation in the EU, specific legislation in EU member states, the UK or the US.
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